News & Events
Russo and Feliciano Named 2004 Presidential Scholars
City Tech Foundation President Martin Jaffe, Presidential Scholars Feliciano and Russo, City Tech President Russell K. Hotzler and Foundation Executive Director Jewel Escobar.
Nicholas D. Russo, one of two freshmen who have been named Presidential Scholars by New York City College of Technology (City Tech), is clear about his career plans. “My first love is mixing and spinning records,” he says, “bringing others enjoyment through my talent as a disc jockey.”
Logically enough, Russo headed straight from Saint Edmund Preparatory High School in Brooklyn, where he graduated with honors, to enrollment in City Tech’s bachelor in technology program in entertainment technology.
Looking even more youthful than his 17 years, Russo says that when he first arrives at a gig, the party-goers usually think he’s too young to be a professional disc jockey. “But by the end of the event,” he explains, “they invariably come up to thank me, tell me how much they enjoyed the music and invite me to do a future show. It’s a great feeling.”
Russo, who is of Italian heritage and resides in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn, formed his own DJ company while still in high school. He looks forward to immersing himself in City Tech’s entertainment technology curriculum and becoming ever-more proficient in the intricacies of setting up and breaking down public address systems, mixing consoles and, finally, emerging as one of the best practitioners in the field of sound system engineering.
Unusual Combination of Talent
Rafael J. Feliciano, the other City Tech Presidential Scholar, became interested in architecture in junior high school, when his math teacher pointed out his unusual combination of talents: a knack for working with numbers and a gift for drawing.
“Math is my passion,” Feliciano says, “and City Tech’s Architectural Technology program is the perfect choice for me -- it will enable me to apply my facility with mathematical concepts to such architectural basics as proportion and perspective. And now that I’ve been selected as a Presidential Scholar,” he adds,” I’m extremely grateful for the help I’ll receive in pursuing my educational goals.”
The American-born son of Puerto Rican parents, Feliciano is a resident of the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Throughout his years as an honor student at Murry Bergtraum High School, he participated actively in sports and various community projects, winning the 2003 Rookie of the Year Award for his achievements as a member of Bergtraum’s Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team.
Feliciano’s family life has helped shape his future career
plans. “I’m aware that many people need special help
in order to realize their potential. Helping my family care for
my 10-year-old autistic brother has made me sensitive to others’ difficulties
and has helped me to grow as a person.
“When I become an architect,” he adds, “because of my own life
experience, I will, I’m sure, make handicap accessibility and other amenities
integral aspects of my building designs.”
To be eligible for a City Tech Presidential Scholarship, applicants must meet the criteria of having a high school average of 90 or higher, ranking in the top 20 percent of their class and having a combined SAT score of at least 1080. Funded with unrestricted charitable donations to the New York City College of Technology Foundation, Inc., the Presidential Scholarships provide up to $2,000 per semester to recipients. They are renewable for three additional years, provided the Scholars maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
11/15/04
